Construction of a new school building to accommodate a two-form-entry Nursery and Primary School for 450 pupils, with a total gross floor area of 3,600 m².
The initial proposal for the orientation of the “Vila Olímpica” Nursery and Primary School project has taken into account the aim of achieving a high-quality architectural design that can contribute to the overall quality of education, based on rigorous construction criteria that will facilitate both the building of the school and its subsequent maintenance.
The project is based on the following principles:

• To locate the building approximately at the existing ground levels in order to avoid earthmoving costs, and because the difference in level between the site platforms and the gradients of Avinguda Salvador Espriu and Carrer Jaume Vicens i Vives allows optimisation of protection from sea winds and traffic noise from the Ronda ring roads.

• To propose a two-storey building in order to free up land for playgrounds and sports areas, and to reduce construction costs by minimising foundation and roof areas.

• To organise the building on an L-shaped plan, opening diagonally towards the south and therefore turning its back on Carrer Carmen Amaya. This provides protection from traffic noise on this street, which is significantly increased by lorry traffic and engine noise caused by two sets of traffic lights positioned on a steep incline near the Abraham Centre.

• To locate the sports field to the north, away from the classroom areas, in order to avoid distractions during teaching hours and to allow for independent use if required.

• To incorporate the nursery school within the overall educational complex, placing it on the ground floor of one of the building wings and sharing the same structure. The aim is twofold: to create an integrated centre, which is pedagogically beneficial, and to reduce construction costs.

• To ensure proper orientation of all classrooms. No large classroom faces north or west. All classrooms have direct access to the garden and playgrounds: nursery and infant classes because they are on the ground floor, and primary classrooms via an internal street and shared staircases.

• To position the main entrance on Carrer Carmen Amaya, as this provides level access for the infant and nursery sections. The administration offices are located nearby on the ground floor.

• To place the specialised primary classrooms (music and audiovisuals, art, and IT) on the upper floor, in a location well connected to the other classrooms.

• To organise the north-east wing of the building —the tail of the L-shape— with the dining hall and kitchen at ground level and the gymnasium above. This ensures the gym is on the same level as the primary classrooms. A ramp system connects the gymnasium to the sports field. The dining hall may be used for other activities if required and can be extended into the entrance hall if necessary.

• To locate a covered porch area for leisure activities, sheltered from sun and rain, adjacent to the sports field, without interfering with classroom teaching activities.

• Given the building’s proximity to the sea and beaches, to design a structure in which horizontality predominates, despite being composed of volumes at different heights. The roofs, although flat, are designed with a sufficient slope (5%) to ensure optimal rainwater drainage and to provide a satisfactory appearance from an aerial viewpoint.

• The external enclosure walls will be insulated externally and finished in render. The lower sections will be faced in glazed brick, and the upper part will be finished with an overhanging eaves detail for protection and durability.

• To use interior materials that are resistant to the wear typical of a primary school environment, acoustically appropriate, durable over time, and easy to maintain, even if they are not the least expensive option. We believe in the long-term economic value and effectiveness of ease of maintenance.